Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
Character Builds & Optimization
Arcane Trickster / Wizard: Diviner or Bladesinger? Ranged or Melee?
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Esker" data-source="post: 7493270" data-attributes="member: 6966824"><p>My DM had been running two different tables over the summer, and we recently decided to merge to form one big group. We had our first session together over the weekend and RPed out our characters meeting each other, before happening into a big arena battle where we had to defeat a hill giant and a chimera for the entertainment of some cultists (sorry, "followers") of Beshaba. Good times! </p><p></p><p>My character was a level 4 Moon Elf Arcane Trickster with mainly a scout/ranged profile (expertise in stealth and perception, proficiency in investigation and arcana, among other things), and will be leveling up to 5 for the next session. Because the two tables started at different levels, and because some people were brand new, we're doing a "six months later..." wipe off screen before the next session during which our characters get the opportunity to reconsider their life choices and reemerge with, potentially, different classes, all be at level 5. Basically we have to keep our race, background, and backstory, but can change up anything else. In addition, the DM just opened up any published sources as fair game, whereas my table was previously PHB-only.</p><p></p><p>My original plan before the merge was to go something like AT 13 / Divination Wizard 7, whose combat MO would be casting a concentration debuff (focusing on spells with only a single save and either using portent for autofail or hiding to impose disadvantage from magical ambush) then sniping from range with a light crossbow. But now I will have access to SCAG and Xanathar's, which makes it seem like there are more options for a melee build to take advantage of, between Booming Blade, Shadow Blade, and Bladesinger.</p><p></p><p>The rest of the party is (probably) going to be a Half-Orc Totem Barbarian (with Orcish Fury), a Tempest Cleric (with War Caster), a Sorlock (3/2 Draconic/Celestial, planning go go sorc the rest of the way), a Forest Druid (pumping wisdom), and a Bard of some kind (probably valor, as the player has indicated an interest in archery, not sure what feat/ASI).</p><p></p><p>I am thinking that for now I will go AT 4 / Wizard 1 and keep my options open and see how the group works for a few sessions before committing to a wizard school and combat style, but I'm interested in feedback from the community on these two paths. </p><p></p><p>Below I've outlined my thoughts about level split and order, ASI/Feat choice, and a few of the more build-defining spells.</p><p></p><p>Starting Stats (27 point buy, after racial bonuses): 8 17 13 16 12 8</p><p></p><p>Ranged/Debuffer Build:</p><p></p><p>L4/AT4: Elven Accuracy (DEX to 18)</p><p>L6/Wiz2: Portent</p><p>L9/AT7: +Hold Person, +Phantasmal Force</p><p>L10/AT8: Resilient CON (CON to 14), +Levitate</p><p>L12/AT10: Skulker, +Suggestion</p><p>L14/AT12: +2 DEX (to 20)</p><p>L15/AT13: +Hypnotic Pattern, +Enemies Abound</p><p>L16/DivWiz3: +Web</p><p>L17/DivWiz4: +2 INT (to 18)</p><p>L18/AT14: +Fireball</p><p>L20/AT16: +2 INT (to 20), +Fear</p><p></p><p>One change with this plan from my original one is that with a sorcerer and a bard in the party, buffs like haste and invisibility become less of a priority, since I can ask them to cast those on me. That also means that if I never get 4th level spells, I'll be less sad about it than I would have otherwise, freeing me to prioritize keeping all my ASIs and feats instead of feeling forced to go to wizard 7 for greater invisibility.</p><p></p><p>Melee Magical Striker Build:</p><p>L4/AT4: Elven Accuracy (DEX to 18)</p><p>L6/Bladesinger2: Bladesong</p><p>L7/Bladesinger3: +Mirror Image, +Shadow Blade</p><p>L8/Bladesinger4: Resilient CON, +Hold Person, +Invisibility</p><p>L9/Bladesinger5: +Haste, +Fear</p><p>L10/Bladesinger6: Extra Attack</p><p>L14/AT8: +2 DEX (to 20)</p><p>L16/AT10: Lucky</p><p>L18/AT12: +2 INT (to 18)</p><p>L19/Bladesinger7: +Greater Invisibility, +Evard's Black Tentacles</p><p>L20/Bladesinger8: +2INT (to 20)</p><p></p><p>Thoughts?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Esker, post: 7493270, member: 6966824"] My DM had been running two different tables over the summer, and we recently decided to merge to form one big group. We had our first session together over the weekend and RPed out our characters meeting each other, before happening into a big arena battle where we had to defeat a hill giant and a chimera for the entertainment of some cultists (sorry, "followers") of Beshaba. Good times! My character was a level 4 Moon Elf Arcane Trickster with mainly a scout/ranged profile (expertise in stealth and perception, proficiency in investigation and arcana, among other things), and will be leveling up to 5 for the next session. Because the two tables started at different levels, and because some people were brand new, we're doing a "six months later..." wipe off screen before the next session during which our characters get the opportunity to reconsider their life choices and reemerge with, potentially, different classes, all be at level 5. Basically we have to keep our race, background, and backstory, but can change up anything else. In addition, the DM just opened up any published sources as fair game, whereas my table was previously PHB-only. My original plan before the merge was to go something like AT 13 / Divination Wizard 7, whose combat MO would be casting a concentration debuff (focusing on spells with only a single save and either using portent for autofail or hiding to impose disadvantage from magical ambush) then sniping from range with a light crossbow. But now I will have access to SCAG and Xanathar's, which makes it seem like there are more options for a melee build to take advantage of, between Booming Blade, Shadow Blade, and Bladesinger. The rest of the party is (probably) going to be a Half-Orc Totem Barbarian (with Orcish Fury), a Tempest Cleric (with War Caster), a Sorlock (3/2 Draconic/Celestial, planning go go sorc the rest of the way), a Forest Druid (pumping wisdom), and a Bard of some kind (probably valor, as the player has indicated an interest in archery, not sure what feat/ASI). I am thinking that for now I will go AT 4 / Wizard 1 and keep my options open and see how the group works for a few sessions before committing to a wizard school and combat style, but I'm interested in feedback from the community on these two paths. Below I've outlined my thoughts about level split and order, ASI/Feat choice, and a few of the more build-defining spells. Starting Stats (27 point buy, after racial bonuses): 8 17 13 16 12 8 Ranged/Debuffer Build: L4/AT4: Elven Accuracy (DEX to 18) L6/Wiz2: Portent L9/AT7: +Hold Person, +Phantasmal Force L10/AT8: Resilient CON (CON to 14), +Levitate L12/AT10: Skulker, +Suggestion L14/AT12: +2 DEX (to 20) L15/AT13: +Hypnotic Pattern, +Enemies Abound L16/DivWiz3: +Web L17/DivWiz4: +2 INT (to 18) L18/AT14: +Fireball L20/AT16: +2 INT (to 20), +Fear One change with this plan from my original one is that with a sorcerer and a bard in the party, buffs like haste and invisibility become less of a priority, since I can ask them to cast those on me. That also means that if I never get 4th level spells, I'll be less sad about it than I would have otherwise, freeing me to prioritize keeping all my ASIs and feats instead of feeling forced to go to wizard 7 for greater invisibility. Melee Magical Striker Build: L4/AT4: Elven Accuracy (DEX to 18) L6/Bladesinger2: Bladesong L7/Bladesinger3: +Mirror Image, +Shadow Blade L8/Bladesinger4: Resilient CON, +Hold Person, +Invisibility L9/Bladesinger5: +Haste, +Fear L10/Bladesinger6: Extra Attack L14/AT8: +2 DEX (to 20) L16/AT10: Lucky L18/AT12: +2 INT (to 18) L19/Bladesinger7: +Greater Invisibility, +Evard's Black Tentacles L20/Bladesinger8: +2INT (to 20) Thoughts? [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
Character Builds & Optimization
Arcane Trickster / Wizard: Diviner or Bladesinger? Ranged or Melee?
Top